In response to long-standing grievances regarding stringent licensing requirements, particularly within the floristry and hair braiding sectors, the Louisiana Legislature is currently deliberating bills aimed at streamlining entry into these professions.
Despite previous endeavors to reform occupational licensing, such as endeavors to diminish the mandatory 500 hours of training for Louisiana hair braiders, these efforts have encountered resistance from proponents arguing the necessity of such training.
The current legislative session introduces House Bill 749 and House Bill 933, each designed to alleviate burdensome regulations. If ratified, HB 749 would eliminate the obligatory 500-hour training for braiders, while HB 933 seeks to abolish licensing prerequisites for florists.
On Monday, the House Committee on Commerce propelled HB 933 to the full House for further deliberation, opting to postpone the decision on HB 749 until the following week.
Representative Mike Bayham, R-Chalmette, asserted that the proposed bills form part of a broader initiative to dismantle unwarranted obstacles across various industries. He highlighted that one in every five Louisiana workers currently requires an occupational license to practice their profession.
During deliberations, Bayham emphasized the lack of health, safety, or fiduciary grounds justifying the floristry license, citing Louisiana as the sole state mandating such a regulation. HB 933 was advanced by the committee with a 15-3 majority vote.
In endorsing the florist bill, Anthony Thibodeaux, the produce and floor director for Associated Grocers, criticized the licensing mandate as nonsensical and detrimental to business expansion, particularly in rural areas where grocery stores often serve as the primary flower vendors.
Regarding the braiding legislation, Bayham underscored Louisiana’s status as one of fifteen states imposing licensing obligations on braiders, noting the substantial financial burden it imposes on students.
Betsy Sanz, representing the Institute for Justice, decried the arduous 500-hour requirement as an infringement upon individuals’ constitutional right to earn a livelihood. She contended that the training does little to enhance public safety, given the innocuous nature of braiding.
The proposed bill seeks to supplant the licensing requirement with a more accessible permitting process, exempting braiders from extensive educational prerequisites. However, salons offering additional services would still necessitate licensing by the state Cosmetology Board.
Highlighting the socioeconomic significance of hair braiding, Ashley N’Dakpri, manager of Afro Touch Hair Braiding in Gretna, emphasized its role as a means of income generation, particularly for immigrants.
N’Dakpri’s legal challenge against the licensing requirement, initiated in 2019, remains pending, with an appellate hearing scheduled for Wednesday. Past attempts to amend or abolish licensing regulations in these sectors have yielded limited success in the Legislature.
Some lawmakers advocate delaying the vote on the braiding bill until the conclusion of ongoing litigation, while others propose adjustments to the training requisites. Representative Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, proposed an amendment allowing braiders to undergo a skills test in lieu of formal education, albeit with continued emphasis on sanitary practices.
Given the array of concerns raised, Bayham requested additional time for further deliberation, which the committee assented to, scheduling reconsideration of the bill for the following week. Representatives from the state Board of Cosmetology refrained from taking a definitive stance on the bill during committee proceedings.
Furthermore, House Bill 930, aiming to reduce mandatory training hours for cosmetologists from 1,500 to 1,000, was not addressed by the committee.
